Jammu, Aug 13 - Notwithstanding the scare caused by swine flu and the advisories to stay away from crowded places, shoppers are thronging markets in large numbers to make purchases for the celebrations of Janmasthami, the birthday of Hindu god Krishna.

All the major markets, especially those selling cloth, flowers and coconuts have been thronged by the shoppers. The rush is quite heavy in Raghunath Bazar, Purani Mandi, Link Road and Jain Bazar.

'We are here to make purchases for the festival,' said Shivani Gupta, 43, a homemaker, making purchases in Purani Mandi, a heavily congested area.

'Janmasthami is a big festival and we have to celebrate it,' she said.

Vijaylakshmi, 39, from Kali Jani, a congested locality in the walled city said: 'Well, we are healthy and don't see any symptoms among the fellow shoppers or shopkeepers, so, why should we be worried?'

'We will not allow this scare to spoil our festivities,' she added.